The Goal Line Stand
November 25th, 2018
Critical tackle in goal line stand.
Hey, when a team is circling the drain, you embrace any little positive there is, even if it is against the lowly 49ers.
And so it was today that the Bucs defense, ravaged by injuries, must have heard the voices of Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks, John Lynch, Ronde Barber and Monte Kiffin, all of whom were at the Den of Depression today.
For a few brief moments, instead of looking like JPP and 10 lawn chairs trying to set NFL records for futility, the Bucs played some defense.
It was a one-score game early in the third quarter, 13-6. San Francisco had a first down on the Bucs-9. A run by Jeff Wilson got the ball near the goal line, stopped when Brent Grimes made a critical solo tackle saving six points.
Uh, oh. Here we go again.
That’s when the Bucs defense manned up. Maybe for the first time since the goal line stand against the Browns.
Running back Matt Brieda and quarterback Nick Mullens each tried to ram it through the Bucs’ defense with no luck. A George Kittle false start on fourth down backed the 49ers up five yards. They had to settle for a field goal.
“I thought that was a huge turning point in the game to stop them,” Bucs Bit-O-Honey-snacking, Ozark-watching, yams-eating coach Dirk Koetter said. “That was great. … In the NFL, part of winning is not losing, not getting yourself beat.”
Finally, the Bucs showed they had the nutsack to shut down an offense again. Yeah, with a third-string quarterback. Yeah, against a lousy team.
But admit it: You thought sure the 49ers would waltz right into the end zone once they had first-and-goal, didn’t you?
November 25th, 2018 at 7:20 pm
No I screamed my ass off along with everyone sitting in my section
November 25th, 2018 at 7:23 pm
Our defense has no ability in short yardage. If they can stone the Pathers on 3rd & 1 I’ll listen.
November 25th, 2018 at 7:23 pm
I was on that side of the field and the goal line stand was great! Yes, I thought Brieda was going to punch it in.
November 25th, 2018 at 7:24 pm
And Joe……The answer to your question is, Yes. Of course I did.
November 25th, 2018 at 8:01 pm
For one glorious Sunday we had a magical culture change.
The DL was especially impressive…how many sacks I lost count but as Koetter pointed out…might have been four first half sacks but just as critical was how we hit Mullen so frequently and beat the snot out of him. Sacks are great but beating up the QB is just as good.
So for the remaining five games we have JPP, GMC, Vita, and Nassib all playing well. CB’s still questionable but I like the growth of our safeties.
November 25th, 2018 at 8:10 pm
Hey, glad I fell asleep before this went down. But seriously, if this was one of the big favorite teams like the Belicheats, they would have scored. Compliments of the zebras. What else is new?
November 25th, 2018 at 8:10 pm
You’re right Joe, I did expect the normal thing which is that they’d walk through our line as easily as what’s his name threw one of ours out the club.
Hats off to the Bucs for an overall great game on all 3 phases!
November 25th, 2018 at 8:11 pm
Vita was playing serious on those plays. I think Monte was about 106 years old when he was with us in the Dungy days but bring him back for DC.
November 25th, 2018 at 11:02 pm
I was pumped to see vea looking like the hulk out there it’s about time and San Fran’s oline isn’t that bad Tampa balled out I couldn’t be happier. I just want to see Tampa win even if that means screwing us in the draft
November 26th, 2018 at 12:00 am
It looked to me like we blitzed the sh*t out of them. If we are gonna lose, lose being aggressive, not by a 1000 cuts, that is a slow painful death.
November 26th, 2018 at 12:43 am
f*ck the draft…anyone you draft can be a bust…win games!
November 26th, 2018 at 6:46 am
culture change isn’t week to week, its seasons at a time. Koetter already HAS changed the culture, as this team never quits. This team has a run in them to go to 9-7 or 8-8. But someone with keen eye towards the draft needs to help Licht. Free Agents A-, Draft picks, C=
November 26th, 2018 at 11:13 am
What Adam just said!!!